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i. Most flammable liquids fall into Hazard Group 3. Within each Hazard Class,
materials are classified into three Packaging Groups.

ii. Materials in Packing Group 1: Considered the most dangerous; have a boiling
o
point less than or equal to 35 C.

iii. Materials in Packing Group II: Considered moderately dangerous have a
o
o
boiling point above 35 C and a flash point less than 23 C.

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iv. Materials in packing Group III: have a boiling point above 35 C and a
o
o
flashpoint between 23 C and 60 C.

v. Ethanol or ethyl alcohol is most commonly used in concentrations of 70% and
is assigned to UN 1170, Class 3. Concentrations between 10% to 80% fall
into Packing Group III, while above 80%, for example specimens inactivated
in 95% alcohol for PCR investigations fall into Packing Group II.

vi. Isopropanol is most commonly used at concentrations of 50% and fall into
Packing Group II. Concentrations at 10% to 30% fall into Packing Group III.

vii. Preserved biological specimens such as fixed post mortem specimens are
usually in 10% neutral buffered formalin solutions and contain 3.7% or 4%
formaldehyde and are not regulated for transport, provided the volume is kept
at the minimum requirement.

viii. Formaldehyde more than 10% to less than 25% is classified as “UN 3334,
Aviation regulated liquid, formaldehyde, Class 9”.

ix. When shipping Formalin solutions refer to the MSDS to determine the percent
of formaldehyde. Full strength Formalin is 37% formaldehyde. Formalin is a
mixture of formaldehyde and methyl alcohol. IATA identifies formalin as
Formaldehyde solution.

x. Formalin with more than 25% formaldehyde and combined with a flammable
substance such as methyl alcohol is classified as “Formaldehyde solution,
flammable, UN 1198, Class 3 (Sub risk 8) Packing group III. (Note:
Formaldehyde solutions in these concentrations are noxious and can cause
extreme annoyance or discomfort to crew members in the event of a spill or
leak on an aircraft.)

xi. Formaldehyde, not less than 25% (> 25%) is assigned to UN 2209, Class 8,
Formaldehyde solution, Packing Group III.

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